CELL CYCLE Keeping in Time

A functional pathway that connects the cell cycle and the circadian clock has long been suspected. Matsuo et al. (see the Perspective by Schibler) have now identified a molecular link between these two major control systems that could explain how proliferating cells use information from the circadian clock to regulate the timing of cell division. In murine regenerating liver, the expression of three key regulators of mitosis was controlled in a diurnal fashion. One of these factors, called WEE1, was directly regulated by two transcription factors that are core components of the mammalian circadian clock.

T. Matsuo, S. Yamaguchi, S. Mitsui, A. Emi, F. Shimoda, H. Okamura, Control mechanism of the circadian clock for timing of cell division in vivo. Science 302, 255 (2003). [Abstract] [Full Text]

U. Schibler, Liver regeneration clocks on. Science 302, 234 (2003). [Summary] [Full Text]

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RESEARCH ARTICLES
Control Mechanism of the Circadian Clock for Timing of Cell Division in Vivo

Takuya Matsuo, Shun Yamaguchi, Shigeru Mitsui, Aki Emi, Fukuko Shimoda, and Hitoshi Okamura (10 October 2003)
Science 302 (5643), 255. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1086271]
 |  Abstract »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »  |  Supporting Online Material »

PERSPECTIVES
CIRCADIAN RHYTHMS: Liver Regeneration Clocks On

Ueli Schibler (10 October 2003)
Science 302 (5643), 234. [DOI: 10.1126/science.1090810]
 |  Summary »  |  Full Text »  |  PDF »